RULERS of MAJOR CITIES
Victorius, St. Capella, St. Lucius and Eldred’s Cross are governed by ruling, hereditary noble families, either Barons, Counts or Dukes depending upon the size & status of the city;
Eldred’s Cross……………..House of Eldred, Duke
Victorius…………………....House of Wales, Duke
St. Capella……………….…House of Avalon, Count
St. Lucius………….…….….House of Novella, Count
*Mole’………When hereditary ruling family died off 100 years ago, The Church took over administration of this small mountain city. The Bishop of Mole’ has the same authority & responsibilities as the other city rulers, but is less influenced by the Emperor and answers primarily to the Cardinal.
These ruling families act as governors, though that is not their title (the “refined” city nobility look down their noses at the “Provincials,” considering them and their titles backwards and ignorant.)
The day-to-day administration of the city falls to these rulers, and they are responsible for collecting taxes (a portion goes to the city) and transporting the balance to the Imperium. These are positions of great wealth, power and prestige, and hold considerable influence at court (depending upon the size of the city.) At least one ruling family – the House of Novella – are “Merchant Lords,” nobles with massive merchant interests and holdings (ships), making them impossibly wealthy and expanding their sphere of influence (and what & whom influences them.) Although these city rulers are like kings in their own cities, they must still follow the directives of the emperor (Steward), but how well these directives are carried out depends upon the ruler’s agenda. They always put their cities and families before the empire.
These families fill the highest positions of city government with family members, and their family knights command the Imperial troops under their control. They appoint magistrates for city justice affairs, and control the City Watch, Gaolers and units of Gard D’Florenta within their city. They also maintain their own castles & lands, usually outside but close to the city they rule, collecting their own taxes and controlling their own force of troops and retainers. Like the Provincials, they can compel other city nobles to serve a cause or supply troops, with considerably more influence than the Provincials.
COURT & LEVELS OF INFLUENCE
The 8-year old emperor does not attend court. He does not leave the Imperial Palace in Astoria, though he has access to anything he might needs, including forested gardens and riding areas. It is the Steward who holds court in the Imperial Throneroom. He usually remains in Astoria, holding court 6 days a week (not on the Sabbath…not officially.) About ever four weeks he travels to the Imperial Palace in Florenta, meets with the Cardinal, and holds court for a week before returning to Astoria. Those who wish to attend court must either travel to Astoria, of go to Florenta and wait for him to arrive. The Steward does not travel to any other cities (though he has been considering a surprise trip to Eldred’s Cross to look in on things there.) “Court” involves a small measure of hearing disputes, complaints and proposals, several hours of discussion about the war, socializing and a banquet. This happens just about every day, though the Steward has been known to dispense with the banquet and take meals privately with advisors, generals or visiting merchant dignitaries.
The levels of influence each group enjoys is ranked below. These often change, sometimes daily, so court is a place of intrigue, treachery and pettiness.
EMPEROR (Steward)
V
Gov. of Florenta The Cardinal Gov. of Astoria
V
Duke of Eldred’s Cross Archbishop of Florenta Duke of Victorius
V
Prominent Merchants Count of St. Lucius Count of St. Capella
& Scholars
V
Lighthorse Noble Families Bishops of Major Cities
V
Noble Families of Military Rulers Bishops of War Regions
Astoria & Florenta of War Regions
V
Landed Knights Noble Families of Victorius, Black Forest
Eldred’s Cross, St. Lucius Baronies
& St. Capella
KNIGHTS: POSITION & ROLES
Nobility is nobility, hereditary bloodlines with entitlements to be princelings, barons, counts and dukes. Knights are different. Any knighted noble will always be a noble. Commoners who are knighted do not automatically become part of the nobility.
Noble knighthoods come from the top ranking member of the noble house, and those knights can go on to become barons and the like. Only a noble can knight another noble. The role of noble knights is often ceremonial only, preferring to employ small armies to conduct patrols and protect the hamlets of their lands. A few noble knights actually ride their own lands, protecting their subjects and dispensing justice.
Paladin Knighthoods come from either The Church (a bishop or higher) or a senior knighted paladin (Church sanction may or may not be present at the time of the knighting, in which case The Church trusts in the knighting paladin’s judgment.) Knight paladins, if not born of a noble family, never become nobles, though they are highly respected. It is often the case that a noble chooses the path of the paladin, accepting that knighthood and forfeiting all claims on his or her noble title in favor of a life of service to Saint Cuthbert.
Family Knighthoods come from private, prominent families of considerable wealth, power and influence with their own lands. The knighting receives the sanction of the ruling family member, and is conducted by an older family knight. This position is above the commoners (as is the family), but does not impart nobility (just as the family is not classified as noble.) Only a member of the family bloodline can hope to attain this honor. It is usually given to family-member squires after extended service. Knightly service is generally spent in defense of the family and its holdings.
Imperial Knighthoods come directly from personal decree by the Emperor (or Steward.) This is granted to commoners who truly distinguish themselves in service to the Imperium, and the actual knighting is conducted by the Emperor or Steward himself. This knighting moves the commoner into the lowest rank of nobility, entitling him or her to lands (a land grant and small keep - from the Emperor’s personal holdings - is the usual gift to accompany this honor) & the authority to collect (and pay) taxes. This type of knight cannot then become a baron or duke…those are blooded titles with hereditary lands, whereas the Knight of the Imperium has been granted newly-created lands. The knight can, however, by Emperor’s decree be elevated to the noble title of Earl (ie, “Sir Keith Haney, Knight of the Imperium, Earl of Farmington.”) This ranks approximately between Baron and Count. “Normal” nobles have no access to this title. These knights most often come from the ranks of adventurers, and they usually defend their own lands and/or continue to ride the realm spreading and enforcing the power of the Imperium and their own glory. Technically, they have the authority to dispense justice anywhere in the Empire, but that could easily step on the toes of others who consider it their privilege… |
